Caramel Frappuccino
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This homemade Caramel Frappuccino Recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make drink to satisfy your sweet tooth! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a refreshing and indulgent treat that’s sure to hit the spot. Learn how to make this mouth-watering drink right at home and impress your friends and family with your barista skills.
Searching for more go-to blended drinks? Be sure to try my Mocha Frappe, Strawberry Frappuccino, and Frosted Lemonade recipe!
Why You’ll Love This recipe
- Caramel coffee recipe – If you love the flavor of caramel in your coffee, this drink delivers it in every sip.
- Coffee shop drinks at home – Recreate your favorite blended coffee without the price tag or fancy equipment.
- Blended iced coffee – Get that thick, icy texture just like a barista-made frappé with frozen coffee cubes.
- Starbucks copycat recipes – This frappuccino is an easy copycat of your favorite caramel drink for a fraction of the cost.
Whether you call it a frappuccino, frappe, or frap… This frozen caramel coffee is the BEST version. A go-to for a quick caffeine boost that is sweet, but still holds an amazing coffee flavor. Easy to make and cheaper than your typical drive-thru. A personal favorite of mine that competes only with the mocha version.
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According to the Starbucks website, their caramel flavor is the most popular of all-time, and for good reason. You get a sweet, sugar filled, drink with a rich caramel flavor and hints of vanilla. Delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This caramel coffee is the cozy café drink you didn’t know you could make at home in five minutes. Each ingredient plays a key role in giving you that smooth, sweet, coffeehouse-style flavor—without the coffee shop price tag.
- Strong brewed coffee – Freshly brewed and strong is key here! If you have leftover coffee from the morning, reheat it on the stovetop for best flavor.
- Milk – Any milk works, but whole milk or oat milk makes it extra creamy.
- Caramel sauce – Store-bought or homemade; drizzle a little extra in the cup for that fancy swirl.
- Sugar (optional) – Skip it if your caramel sauce is already sweet enough, or use brown sugar for a richer taste.
- Whipped cream (optional) – Totally optional, but let’s be real—it turns this into a treat.
That’s it! With just a few simple ingredients, you’re sipping on a dreamy caramel coffee that hits the sweet spot every time.
Jesseca’s Recipe Review
This caramel frappe recipe is my go-to when I’m craving something sweet but don’t want to change out of pajamas for a coffee run. It’s smooth, icy, and just the right balance of rich caramel and bold coffee. The frozen coffee cubes are a game-changer. You get all the chill without the watered-down flavor.
Tip from Jesseca:
Double your coffee ice cube batch and store them in a freezer-safe bag. That way, you’re always five minutes away from a homemade frappuccino whenever the craving hits.
Variations and Substitutions
Whether you’re working with what’s in your fridge or just in the mood to experiment, this frappuccino is super customizable. Here’s how you can switch things up without sacrificing flavor:
- Skip the sugar: If your caramel sauce is already sweet enough, leave out the sugar or use a sugar-free alternative.
- No caramel sauce? Try butterscotch or even a combo of maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt for a similar vibe.
- Make it extra rich: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of some of the ice for a milkshake-style treat.
- Craving mocha? Blend in a spoonful of chocolate syrup or cocoa powder for a caramel-mocha twist.
- Boost the flavor: Add a splash of vanilla or caramel extract for that coffee shop finish.
There’s no wrong way to frappuccino. Just blend, taste, and tweak until it’s perfect for you.
How To Make A Caramel Frappe At Home
Here’s the secret, this recipe is actually SUPER easy. Blend and enjoy is the basic list of instructions. There are, however, a few tips that will come in extra handy.
- Freeze the coffee: Pour cooled brewed coffee into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid (about 3–4 hours).
- Load the blender: Add frozen coffee cubes, milk, caramel sauce, and sugar (if using) to your blender.
- Blend until smooth: Blend on medium-high for about 2 minutes, or until you’ve got a frosty, creamy consistency.
- Pour and top: Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel, if you’re feeling fancy.
And that’s it! Your icy caramel treat is ready to sip. Make one in the morning or treat yourself to an afternoon pick-me-up.
Recipe FAQs
Technically yes, but it won’t give the same thick, icy texture. Frozen coffee cubes are key to that classic frappuccino consistency without watering it down.
You can substitute with butterscotch syrup, maple syrup, or even a little brown sugar mixed with vanilla extract for a similar flavor.
A blender is really the best tool for this. If you don’t have one, you could try using crushed ice and a hand mixer, but it won’t be quite as smooth.
If you want to make a caffeine-free version, use decaf coffee or swap in chocolate milk for a caramel milkshake-style drink that kids will love.
Just use your favorite non-dairy milk (like oat, almond, or soy) and skip the whipped cream or use a plant-based version.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
This is best enjoyed fresh, but there are a couple of tricks if you want to prep ahead or save leftovers.
- Make the coffee cubes ahead: Brew and freeze your coffee up to a week in advance. Store the cubes in a freezer-safe bag or container once frozen to keep them fresh and ready to go.
- Blend and freeze: If you want to prep the full drink, blend it and pour into a freezer-safe cup. When you’re ready to enjoy, let it sit at room temp for 10–15 minutes and give it a quick re-blend or shake to bring it back to life.
- Leftover tip: If you somehow don’t finish your drink (rare, but it happens), pour it into a popsicle mold or ice cube tray for a frozen treat later.
Frappuccinos don’t store like hot coffee, but with these easy steps, you’ll always have a chilled caffeine fix on standby.
Caramel Frappuccino Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee*
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup caramel sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Start by brewing a strong cup of coffee. Let it cool slightly, then pour it into an ice cube tray. Freeze for 3 to 4 hours, or until the cubes are completely solid.
- Once the coffee cubes are frozen, place them into a blender along with the milk, caramel sauce, and sugar (if using). Make sure your blender can handle ice for the best results.
- Blend on medium to high speed for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture is thick, icy, and smooth.
- Pour the blended frappuccino into a glass. Top with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce for that coffee shop touch.
Notes
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
